The Full Camino Primitivo

Make your own way to Oviedo, the capital of Asturias. If you arrive early in the afternoon, we recommend visiting the Gothic Cathedral devoted to San Salvador, the historic holy site where the Camino begins. This evening you can enjoy the city’s lively atmosphere, and explore the charming lanes in the old town and traditional cider houses around the corner from your comfortable hotel.

Starting from the cathedral, follow the Camino shells through the city centre into the green Asturian countryside. Quiet lanes and ancient footpaths take you past peaceful villages, some with historic pilgrims’ hostels and inns. From Puerma you will follow the main road to Grado, from where there's a short transfer to your charming rural hotel. Overnight in Sama de Grado. 250m/820ft ascent, 375m/1280ft descent.

Transfer back to Grado this morning. On the first part of today's walk you'll follow narrow trails and country roads through hilly countryside directly to the Cornellana Monastery. Founded in 1024, the monastery was of great religious and political importance throughout the early history of the Christian kingdom in Asturias. On the latter part of the route from Cornellana to Salas, you'll need to take a few detours, as the motorway is still under construction here. Tonight you'll stay overnight in Salas at a hotel located in the historical town centre, near the castle and museum of Pre-Romanesque architecture. 425m/1394ft ascent, 350m/1148ft descent.

After a short ascent through beautiful terrain in the fields outside Salas, you will again follow the main road for about 5km. From La Espina you'll leave the main road behind, continuing to Tineo through quiet woodlands and fields, following quiet country trails. You'll find your accommodation for the night in Tineo's historical centre. 575m/1886ft ascent, 300m/984ft descent.

This morning you will walk through woodlands to reach the peaceful town of Obona, with its historic Monastery of Santa María la Real. After exploring the monastery, continue to Campiello, where you will stay overnight in a welcoming family run establishment. 500m/1640ft ascent, 300m/984ft descent

After breakfast a transfer takes you to La Mortera to begin your walk. You'll walk along the original high route (“ruta de los hospitales”), crossing steep slopes to reach Puerto el Palo, where several pilgrims’ 'hospitals' were built centuries ago - on either side of the mountain pass - to provide shelter for pilgrims from the harsh winter weather conditions. Enjoy superb views on your way up to the highest point on the pass, “Puerto El Palo”, before continuing for another couple of hours (approx 9.5km), mainly on the road, to reach your accommodation in Berducedo. 520m/1706ft ascent, 450m/1476ft descent Note: in the case of bad weather, we strongly recommend taking the lower route commencing from Pola Allande (6hrs, 17.5km/10.5mi).

From the tiny village of Berducedo, the day starts with an ascent to the windmills above La Mesa before a steep descent takes you to Lake Salime. You’ll enjoy superb views for the first 5km, then the lovely shade of chestnut trees as you walk down to meet the road. The last few kilometres follow the tarmac road across the dam and then up to your hotel in Grandas de Salime. 330m/1082ft ascent, 970m/3182ft descent.

After a week on the Camino, you can take the day off and relax. Or if you prefer to keep walking, you have two options. You can walk into the village of Grandas de Salime to visit the ethnographic museum or take a dive in the local swimming pool (swimming cap required). Or walk a 5km/3.2mi section on the Camino to reach the village of Castro where you can visit Chao Sanmartin, an interesting archaeological site of mixed Celtic and Roman origin, and take a taxi back to the hotel. 310m/1017ft ascent, 20m/65ft descent

A morning transfer takes you to the village of Castro to continue your Camino. The walk today follows, more or less, the main road to Puerto El Acebo (1165m), gateway to the province of Galicia. You walk mostly on the main road, taking frequent shortcuts. At the end, there’s a short ascent to reach the town of Fonsagrada, not the prettiest of villages but it's friendly in its own way, and has all of the major services you might require. Overnight Fonsagrada. 530m/1739ft ascent, 225m/738ft descent.

From Fonsagrada you will descend to the village of Póboa de Burón. Here you will join the oldest Camino Primitivo trail, a high route across green pastures and fields of heather on the way to the ruins at Hospital de Montouto, another ancient pilgrims' hospital. After an easy descent to Paradavella, transfer back to Fonsagrada (as there is no other suitable accommodation nearby) and your hotel. 400m/1312ft ascent, 650m/2132ft descent.

After breakfast a transfer takes you back to Paradavella (or a little further) to continue your walk. Today's route is mainly along rural tracks, taking you through wooded areas and open fields, with only some short sections on the main road. After O Cádavo, you walk through Villabade, which has an interesting church, before finally reaching Castroverde. 400m/1312ft ascent, 475m/1558ft descent

Today you can enjoy the green beauty of the Galician countryside, as you walk on quiet tarmac lanes and dirt tracks from one hamlet to the next, passing gorgeous examples of traditional architecture. Continue to Lugo and your hotel. On arrival we suggest strolling along Lugo's splendid UNESCO listed Roman walls and exploring the Gothic Church of San Francisco and cloisters. 150m/492ft ascent, 250m/820ft descent.

From Lugo onward, several Caminos come together to join the main French Route (Camino Francés). Today you have a long walk to reach the next accommodation, situated in Ferreira. The first 20km until O Burgo are almost all paved but mainly uphill - or you can hire a taxi in Lugo to shorten this stage. 200m/656ft ascent, 200m/656ft descent. NOTE: to receive your Compostela you will need to walk the full route from Lugo, as it is 100km to Santiago. If you book a taxi transfer to shorten the stage you will not qualify for the Compostela.

Today's stage is shorter than yesterday's, however it starts and continues uphill until O Requián. Then there is another climb until Monte da Feira. From here the route is a piece of cake to Melide! 280m/918ft ascent, 350m/1148ft descent

Walking from Melide, you have now joined the French Route, or Camino Francés, which is the most popular of all the Camino variants to Santiago. You will find yourself among a multitude of pilgrims from all over the world, as you follow trails, country roads and footpaths parallel to the main road. Your accommodation for this evening is located just outside the village of Arzúa. 150m/492ft ascent, 200m/656ft descent.

This section of the Camino is one of the least interesting, as it basically parallels the main road, but there are lots of people you'll meet along the way. The excitement shared with fellow pilgrims grows, combined with mixed feelings of soon facing the end of your pilgrimage! Overnight stay at the best available 2 star hotel, with friendly owners. 200m/658ft ascent, 225m/738ft descent.

The last day on the trail is always a special one. Today's walk brings you back to modern life, as you pass the regional airport, cross the highway, railway track and ring road around Santiago. Nevertheless, it’s an amazing experience to catch a first glimpse of Santiago and the cathedral spires in the distance, like so many pilgrims before you. From Monte del Gozo, pilgrims historically made one last stop at the spring in Lavacolla, to wash their face and feet before presenting themselves before the Saint at the Cathedral on Plaza del Obradoiro. On arrival in the fabled Santiago de Compostela there is plenty to see and do – or you can simply relax and celebrate the end of the journey. Dinner is not included tonight so you can try one of the many restaurants in town. Overnight in Santiago. 175m/574ft ascent, 175m/574ft descent

The trip concludes after breakfast in Santiago de Compostela. If you'd like to stay longer to further explore this interesting city, we can assist with extra nights accommodation - please ask for our rates.